Electrical connectors



' June 15, 1965 J. P. AVERY 3,189,869

ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS Filed Dec. 31, 1962 2 Sheets-Shoot 1 I V5 TORJ./?Av RY 4y Arm/1w y June 15, 1965 J. P. AVERY 3,189,359

ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS Filed Dec. 31, 1962 v 2 sneets-sheetz INVENTORe'yd. AVE RY A 770 RN% United States Patent 3,189,869 ELECTRICALCQNNECTQRS John P. Avery, Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to WesternElectric Company, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of NewYork Filed Dec. :31, 1962, Ser. No. 248,447 6Claims. (Cl. 339258) Thepresent invention relates generally to electrical connectors and moreparticularly to electrical quick-connect connectors capable ofsuccessively nesting similarly constructed connectors. The generalobjects of the invention are to provide new and improved connectors ofsuch character.

In the past, electrical connectors were a known expedient forefiiciently effecting the simple connection of a single conductor to asingle terminal. As such, they took on almost every conceivable shape insatisfying the specific requirements of each of a variety ofinstallations, but required no major changes in their fundamentaldesign. With the advent of the so called quick-connect connector,however, the related arts demanded a single-hand-movement, quick-connectconnector in almost every application. At about this same time, anotherproblem was recognized, pointing out further shortcomings of the prioconnectors and even shortcomings of the new quickconnect connectors.'Namely, the increasing complexity of electric and electronic circuitrydictated that several conductors be connected to the same terminal, atask which conventional connectors as well as quick-connect connectorswere not equipped to accommodate.

Additional objects of the invention, therefore, are to provide new andimproved connectors having quickconnect facilities, which connectorsalso have facilities enabling multiple connections to a single terminalto be completed simply, efiiciently, and effectively.

A few connectors have already been developed which embody a provisionfor interconnecting successive connectors, one on top of another, toconnect several conductors to a single terminal. Specifically, thoseconnectors consist of a body portion having a socket in one end,separate and distinct from a connecting facility on the interconnectingconnector, rendering the use of such connectors less efiicient thanconventional noninterconnecting connectors.

Therefore, further objects of the present invention are to provide newand improved electrical connectors capable of successively nestingsimilarly constructed connectors which combine the heretofore separateconnector. and socket facilities into a unitarysocket-within-a-connector facility, such as, for example, a socketwithin a plug-in projection.

Still further objects of the invention are to provide new and improvedquick-connect, nesting connectors which are self-locking within aterminal socket or about a terminal post and which are self-locking onewithin another.

The foregoing and other objects are accomplished in accordance with theinvention by a connector having a body portion formed by laterallyspaced legs fabricated of sheet metal, the legs being joined andcross-linked at one end. The legs are so constructed and arranged that,when making electrical connection with a terminal, nesting is permittedof at least one other connecter of similar construction by accommodatingthe legs of the nested connector in the spacings defined between thelegs of the nesting connector.

an electrical socket-type terminal and form therewith a nest forreceiving similarly constructed connectors.

A connector in accordance with a second embodiment is provided with abody portion having bowed legs which are convergent at their free ends,and further having an aperture in the cross-linked end thereof. Suchconnectors are utilized in conjunction with a terminal post, the bodyportion being slid over the post so that the post is received throughthe aperture and between the free ends of the legs to make bothmechanical and electrical connect-ion thereto.

Other objects, advantages, and aspects of the invention will appear fromthe following detailed description of s ver-al specific embodimentsthereof when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a connector blank which is subsequently .formedand shaped into either of several preferred embodiments;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, shown in cross section, of a firstpreferred embodiment utilized in conjunction with a terminal socket;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the preferred connector of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the connector of FIG. 2 with a second,similarly constructed connector nested therewithin;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a second preferred connector, utilizedin conjunction with a terminal post;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the connector of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the connector of FIG. 5 with a second,similarly constructed connector nested therewithin; and

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the nested connectors shown in FIG. 7.

Directing attention now to the drawings, several preferred embodiments,described in detail hereinbelow, can all be formed from an initialconnector blank 16 illustrated in FIG. 1. This advantageous feature isderived from the identical fundamental design inherent in each of thepreferred connectors, and further, in all of the connectors of thepresent invention. The connector blank 10 is exemplary of thisfundamental design; it is fabricated of resilient sheet metal with aplurality of laterally spaced legs 11- 11 extending radially outwardfrom a common center 12, joining and cross-linking at one end 13. Eachconnector blank 10 further includes a conductor-sleeve blank 14, formedat the remote end of one of the legs in the first embodiment.

The above-described fundamental design is characteristic of allconnectors of the present invention, though the specific details ofconstruction may vary. The number of legs 11-'11 as well as the width ofthe legs, and there fore of the spacings therebetween, may be varied tosuit the needs of a specific application without departing from suchfundamental design. Once the number and Width of the legs 11-11 isdecided upon, however, connector blanks 1(l10 of the same identicaldesign can be fabricated for use in conjunction with a terminal socketor a terminal post, in accordance with the preferred embodimentsdisclosed below.

With reference now to the first preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 2,the connector blank 10 is preformed for use in conjunction with aterminal socket 16. The legs 11-11 are bent substantially perpendicularto the center 12 at their joined and cross-linked ends 1313 so that thelegs are parallel and collectively undirectional, to form a body portion17. To complete the fabrication of the body portion 17, the legs 11l1are flared outwardly at their free ends 18-18.

With such configuration, the completed connector 19 is provided withspacings 21-21, shown in FIG. 3, de-

fined between the legs 11-11, which spacings permit nesting of one suchconnector 19 within another when making electrical connection. The widthof the spacings 21-21 is dependent upon the number and width of the legs11-11, as well as the radius at which the legs are bent perpendicular tothe center 12. To make such electrical connection, the completedconnector 19 is fastened to a conductor 22 by crimping the sleeve blank14 therearound, and the connector is then inserted in the terminalsocket 16.

Self-locking of the connector 19 within the socket 1 is assured byfabricating the body portion with an outer diameter slightly greaterthan the inner diameter of the socket, and by inserting the connectorinto the socket until the flared ends 18-18 of the legs 11-11 engage theentrance surfaces 23-23 leading into the socket. Thus, the legs-11-11are subjected to a slight amount of de formation when inserted into thesocket 16, and due to the inherent resilience of the sheet metal, pressoutwardly against the walls 24-24 of the socket.

With a first connector 19 so inserted in the socket 16, similarlyconstructed connectors 19-19 can be nested also within the socket, asillustrated in FIG. 4. The spacings 21-21 defined between the legs11-11, provide for, such nesting by accommodating the legs of the nestedconnector in immediate contact with the walls 24-24 of the socket. It isobvious that the number of con nectors 19-19 that can be successivelynested one within another, is dependent upon the number and width ofcomponent legs 11-11 thereof.

In the second preferred embodiment of the invention, depicted in FIGS.through 8, the connector blank is preformed for use in conjunction witha terminal post 26. In preforming connectors of this embodiment, thelegs11-11 are bowed radially outward from the center 12 at their joined andcross-linked ends 13-13, and are initially convergent and then divergentat their free ends 18-18, as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. In addition, anaperture 27 is provided in the center 12 for accommodating the terminalpost 26.

As in the first embodiment, such configuration provides spacings 28-28defined between the legs 11-11 of the completed connector 29, whichspacings permit necting of. one such connector 29 within another whenmaking electrical connection. The connector 29 is fastened to aconductor 31 by crimping the sleeve 14 therearound, and the connector isslid over the terminal post 26 so that the post is received through theaperture 27 and is resiliently gripped between the convergent portions32-32 of the legs 11-11. In this case, self-locking of r the connector39 on the post 25 is assured by making the inner diameter defined by theconvergent portions 32-32, slightly less than the outer diameter of thepost.

With a first connector 29 so inserted over a terminal post 26, similarlyconstructed connectors 29-29 can be nested also about the post andwithin the first connector, as is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Thespacings 28-23, as in the first embodiment, provide for such nesting byaccommodating the legs 11-11 of the nested connector, the convergentportions 32-32 of the nested connector eing inimmediate contact with thepost 25.

Thus, several connectors have been described in detail hereinabove, allof which embody quick-connect and nesting features. All of theabove-described connectors are similar in that they are provided withlaterally spaced legs which define spacings for accommodating the legsof similarly constructed connectors to thereby permit nesting of oneconnector Within another. It is contemplated therefore, that whileseveral preferred embodiments have been described in detail hereinabove,it will be obvious that various modifications can be made with-.

out departing from the spirit and the scope of the inventive concept.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical connector capable of nesting similarly shapedconnectors, comprising:

a blank fabricated of sheet metal and formed into a base with aplurality of nest-defining legs extending outwardlytherefronnsaid legsbeing bent through substantialangles to one side of said base topositions wherein they are circumferentially spaced from one another andresiliently yieldable to engage frictionally an electrical terminal towhich connection is to be made, 7

at least one of said le'gs having a receptacle integrally formed at thefree end thereof and extending outwardly at a substantial angle fromsaid nest-defining legs for making external connection to a conductor,

said connector, while frictionally engaged with a terminal, forming anest for receiving similarly shaped connectors as a result of thespatial interrelation of said base, said legs and said receptacle, thelegs of the nested connectors being accommodated in inter-' leavedfashion in the spaces defined between the legs of the nesting connector.

2. An electrical connector and terminating member capable of nestingsimilarly shaped connectors, comprising:

an electrical terminal, and p a connector fabricated of sheet metalandformed into a base with a plurality of nestrdefining legs extendingoutwardly therefrom, said legs being bent through'susbtantial angles toone side of said base to positions wherein they are circumferentiallyspaced from one another and resiliently yieldable to engage frictionallysaid electrical terminal,

at least one of said legs having a receptacle integrally formed at thefree end thereof and extending outwardly at a substantial angle fromsaid nest-defining legs for making eXternalconnection to a conductor,

said connector, while frictional engaged with said terminal, forming anest for, receiving similarly shaped connectors as a result of thespatial interrelation of said base, said legs and said receptacle, thelegs of the nested connectors being accommodated in interleaved fashionin the spaces defined between the legs of'the nesting connector.

3. An electrical connector and socket arrangement capable of nestingsimilarly shaped connectors, comprisa connector fabricated of sheetmetal and formed into a base with a plurality of nest-defining legsextending outwardly therefrom, said legs being resiliently yieldable andbeingbent through substantial angles to one side of said basetopositions wherein they are generally parallel to andcircumfer'entially spaced from one another,

at least one of said legs having a receptacle integrally formed at thefree end thereof and extending outwardly at a substantial angle fromsaid nest-defining legs for making external connection to a conductor,and V an electrical socket-type terminal frictionally engageable by saidresiliently yieldable nest-defining legs of said connector, and formingtherewith a nest for suc cessively receiving similarly shaped connectorsas a result of the spatial interrelation of said base, said legs andsaid receptacle, the legs of the nested connectors being accommodated ininterleaved fashion in the spaces defined between the legs of thenesting connector.

4. An electrical connector capable of nesting similarly shapedconnectors, comprising:

a blank fabricated of sheet metal and formed into a base with aplurality of nest-defining legs extending outwardly therefrom, said legsbeing resiliently yieldable and being bent through substantial angles toone side of said base to positions wherein they are generally paralleland circumferentially spaced from one another to engage frictionally anelectrical sockettype terminal, the free ends of said legs being flaredoutwardly to facilitate the positioning and the retention of theconnector within the socket; and

at least one of said legs having an integral sleeveforming receptacle atthe end thereof, extending outwardly at a substantial angle from saidnest-defining legs, which may be crimped about a conductor to makeelectrical connection therewith;

said conector, while frictionally engaged in an electrical socket,forming therewith a nest for receiving similarly shaped connectors as aresult of the spatial interrelation of said base, said legs and saidreceptacle, the legs of the nested connectors being accommodated ininterleaved fashion in the spaces defined between the legs of thenesting connector.

5. An electrical connector capable of nesting similarly shapedconnectors, comprising:

a blank fabricated of sheet metal and formed into a base with aplurality of nest-defming legs extending outwardly therefrom, said legsbeing resiliently yieldable and being bent through substantial angles toone side of said base so that they are bowed and circumferentiallyspaced from one another, the free ends of said legs being convergent andsaid base having an aperture therethrough so that an electrical terminalpost, to which connection is to be made, may be received through theaperture in said base and frictionally engaged by the free ends of saidlegs,

at least one of said legs having an integral sleeve-forming receptacleat one end thereof, extending outwardly at a substantial angle from saidnest-defining legs, which may be crimped about a conductor to makeelectrical connection therewith,

said connector, while frictionally engaged with a terminal post, forminga nest for receiving similarly shaped connectors as a result of thespatial interrelation of said base, said legs and said receptacle, thelegs of the nested connectors being accommodated in interleaved fashionin the spaces defined between the legs of the nesting connector.

6. An electrical connector and terminal post arrangement capable ofnesting similarly shaped connectors, comprising:

a connector fabricated of sheet metal and formed into a base with aplurality of nest-defining legs extending outwardly therefrom, said legsbeing resiliently yieldable and being bent through substantial angles toone side of said base so that they are bowed and circumferentiallyspaced from one another, said legs having convergent portions near theends thereof and being flared outwardly again at their free ends, andsaid base having an aperture therethrough,

at least one of said legs having a receptacle integrally formed at thefree end thereof and extending outwardly at a substantial angle fromsaid nest-defining legs for making external connection to a conductor,and

an electrical terminal post frictionally engageable by said resilientlyyieldable nest-defining legs of said connector, said connector receivingsaid terminal post through the aperture in said base to permitfrictional engagement of said terminal post with said legs, and saidconnector, when received over said terminal post, forming a nest forsuccessively receiving similarly shaped connectors as a result of thespatial interrelation of said base, said legs, and said receptacle, thelegs of the nested connectors being accommodated in interleaved fashionin the spaces defined between the legs of the nesting connector.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 843,890 2/07Hail. 2,350,765 6/44 Johnson 29--155.5 2,443,509 6/48 Lundy 339-258 X2,549,577 4/51 Coyle 339256 FOREIGN PATENTS 28,162 4/07 Austria.

JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner.

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR CAPABLE OF NESTING SIMILARLY SHAPEDCONNECTORS, COMPRISING: A BLANK FABRICATED OF SHEET METAL AND FORMEDINTO A BASE WITH A PLURALITY OF NEST-DEFINING LEGS EXTENDING OUTWARDLYTHEREFROM, SAID LEGS BEING BENT THROUGH SUBSTANTIAL ANGLES TO ONE SIDEOF SAID BASE TO POSITIONS WHEREIN THEY ARE CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED FROMONE ANOTHER AND RESILIENTLY YIELDABLE TO ENGAGE FRICTIONALLY ANELECTRICAL TERMINAL TO WHICH CONNECTION IS TO BE MADE, AT LEAST ONE OFSAID LEGS HAVING A RECEPTACLE INTEGRALLY FORMED AT THE FREE END THEREOFAND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY AT A SUBSTANTIAL ANGLE FROM SAID NEST-DEFININGLEGS FOR MAKING EXTERNAL CONNECTION TO CONDUCTOR, SAID CONNECTOR, WHILEFRICTIONALLY ENGAGED WITH A TERMINAL, FORMING A NEST FOR RECEIVINGSIMILARLY SHAPED CONNECTORS AS A RESULT OF THE SPATIAL INTERRELATION OFSAID BASE, SAID LEGS AND SAID RECEPTACLE, THE LEGS OF THE NESTEDCONNECTORS BEING ACCOMMODATED IN INTERLEAVED FASHION IN THE SPACESDEFINED BETWEEN THE LEGS OF THE NESTING CONNECTOR.